Community Health and Access to Care in Maasailand
Lobbying for better equipping and staffing of the community-built rural health posts in Maasailand already supported by our partners has been identified as a top priority. Volunteers are needed to report on culturally specific health practices and issues, including female circumcision and its effects on childbirth, preference for home birth, and the relationship of the community to HIV/AIDS.
Volunteers could also survey community feelings about local health care issues, including targeted surveys about available health care facilities, personnel, medications, and treatments. Further, research on the feasibility of integrating and training health care professionals in Maasai, especially midwifery and community health workers, is greatly needed to better serve the local population. Training of health workers to liaise with the Ministry of Health and assist logistically with vaccination campaigns, distribution of state- sponsored drugs, and public health announcements have also been identified by the community.